The famous designer will meet the royal couple at a tea party in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and he has been reminiscing about when he used to visit the prince and his mother Princess Diana - with whom he was close to.

Speaking to Hello! magazine, he said: "I remember a Christmas party Diana threw at Kensington Palace where William, who was then about 12 years old, was the perfect host.

"He greeted all the guests and thanked us for coming,"

Jimmy described the late Diana as "wonderful" and always "eager to exchange ideas" with the shoe king.

Jimmy will meet William and Catherine - who is one of the designer's high profile fans - on Friday at the British High Commissioner's residence, where the designer's native country will play host to the royal couple.

Many of the guests at the event will reflect the duke and duchess' interests, such as Olympic diver Pandelela Rinong Pamg - who became the first female Malaysian athlete ever to win an Olympic medal in diving at this summer's Games - and former Bond girl Michelle Yeoh.

Jimmy, 59, who is a tourism ambassador for Malaysia, added that he would "love" to have William and Catherine "try Malaysian food favourites like asam laksa", a fragrant rice dish often eaten at breakfast.